Any RN's gone the Paramedic route prior to Nursing?

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Hi everyone! I'm am new to the site and had some info and questions to share...I have recently been accepted into a paramedic program on an almost full scholarship! Am thinking about going into a traditional RN program after I get my AAS degree in Emergency Medical Technology-Paramedic. My long-term goal is to become a Flight Medic-but, there is something about ER Nursing that really appeals to me. When I graduate medic school, I have been offered a job in the ER that I currently work in-I'll be working as a new medic. I'm hoping to attend RN school after this, just would like some inspiration from all of you out there. Has anyone become a paramedic and then gone on to nursing school and come out with 2 degrees? The reason I'm doing it this way is partly because I've been accepted into medic school and gotten an excellent scholarship-and I am an EMT and love "street medicine", Also I know ANY education is never a waste. But at 32 years old, is it wise for me to be a paramedic then go on to a two year RN program?

(Just wanting to settle some anxiety) Anyone out there done this?

Thanks to all of you!!

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

No, I haven't done that so I can't offer advice, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. Your a brave person!!! I thought about paramedic, but I would be terrified to ride/drive the ambulance that fast. I would be yelling at the driver to slow down lol.

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There's an RN on this forum who's screen name is SweetoothEMTP (I believe). She (I think it's a woman) sometimes frequents the Massachusetts section of allnurses.com. From her posts, it sounds like she was a medic before becoming a nurse. If you can find her profile, you should give her a PM. Good luck with your decision.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
No, I haven't done that so I can't offer advice, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. Your a brave person!!! I thought about paramedic, but I would be terrified to ride/drive the ambulance that fast. I would be yelling at the driver to slow down lol.

its not that bad.

the worst part is stupid people who dont stop when they see a truck coming at them with lights and sirens @70mph.

like seriously dude...theres an emergency!! LOL

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Specializes in Occ Health; Med/Surg; ICU.

Sounds like a wonderful, practical and fun way to do things. Were I to suggest your route I'd suggest half a year as a CNA, then through EMT to Paramedic then to RN. Were I to do it all over it'd be: EMT-B with six months CNA, then EMT whatever, then RN. then ED, then NP. Don't fall for Critical Care route either--or at least do ED then do a six month stint in ICU or none at all. And you're sooooooooooo old--*lol* I'm intending to "back up" from Adult ICU into EMT, then back to school as Adult NP. Good for you with the scholarship. Look back at one of my posts for hints on paying for the RN (ADN or BSN). You're dynamic--you can go to school for free or pay it off through Nurse Reinvestment Act as an RN. Whoeeeeeeee..... look at this girl go............. Go girl!

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Specializes in EMS, ortho/post-op.

Hi,

I'm basically in the same boat as you. After changing my major multiple times, I'm going to start a paramedic program this summer and then pursue a BSN a year or two later. I have about 16 hours of core classes to go towards the BSN before applying to the program, but that particular program, so I'm in no rush. I'm 27, by the way, married with two kids and currently working as an EMT-I in Georgia. I love my job. LOL When I'm done with medic school, I plan to work on the ambulance through nursing school and then hopefully work as a flight medic for a while. I'd like to get some experience in the ICU rather than ER. The ER in my hospital seems more like a clinic from my perspective. Yes, we do get some "good stuff" here and there, but it seems to be mostly what I would call crap. LOL My ultimate goal is to become a flight nurse and maybe one day a CRNA. I'm not 100% on the CRNA thing, but maybe one day. My grades are good, so it's an option. Right now though, I really do love my job and I'm not in a rush to enter the world of nursing. I might say otherwise in a year, but I'm happy for now. I have a great partner to work with and things are good. The paycheck could be better, but I think we all say that. ;) I definitely think that the education you'll gain as a paramedic will be put to good use in the world of nursing. You will gain great assessment skills and your knowledge of airway management will definitely be an asset where ever you go, just to pick two skills out of the air. My partner is doing a paramedic to RN bridge program and he says that being a paramedic has made him a much better nursing student. I agree with you that no education is wasted. Go for it and have a blast along the way.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i say if you have a full scholarship to become a paramedic, go for it! especially if you want to go into critical care or emergency nursing. you will already have many important skills mastered before you even enter nursing school. i have an AAS in EMS, and decided to go back to school to become a nurse (2nd year student now!!). i found that my experience has helped me really excel in class and in clinicals. good luck to you :)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.
No, I haven't done that so I can't offer advice, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. Your a brave person!!! I thought about paramedic, but I would be terrified to ride/drive the ambulance that fast. I would be yelling at the driver to slow down lol.

Actually if I remember my EVOC course correctly, in PA ambulances are not allowed to exceed the speed limit even with lights and sirens. What they can do is go through a red light after coming to a complete stop (i.e. the red light becomes a stop sign); travel the wrong way on one way streets etc (very dangerous!); and park whereever is necessary.

The police don't usually bother drivers who do exceed the limit carefully or just slow down before going through a light but God help you if you cause an accident.

I've often yelled at my driver to slow down and drive more smoothly. You can't render much care when you're hanging on for dear life.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

In answer to the original question, I've been a paramedic for many years prior to going to nursing school. Although not everything is applicable to nursing the EMS experience teaches you critical thinking and self confidence and lets you see a wide variety of problems. I'm very grateful for the experience and hope to keep on working on ambulances as long as this old body will let me, even after I finish my RN.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
Hi,

I'm basically in the same boat as you. After changing my major multiple times, I'm going to start a paramedic program this summer and then pursue a BSN a year or two later. I have about 16 hours of core classes to go towards the BSN before applying to the program, but that particular program, so I'm in no rush. I'm 27, by the way, married with two kids and currently working as an EMT-I in Georgia. I love my job. LOL When I'm done with medic school, I plan to work on the ambulance through nursing school and then hopefully work as a flight medic for a while. I'd like to get some experience in the ICU rather than ER. The ER in my hospital seems more like a clinic from my perspective. Yes, we do get some "good stuff" here and there, but it seems to be mostly what I would call crap. LOL My ultimate goal is to become a flight nurse and maybe one day a CRNA. I'm not 100% on the CRNA thing, but maybe one day. My grades are good, so it's an option. Right now though, I really do love my job and I'm not in a rush to enter the world of nursing. I might say otherwise in a year, but I'm happy for now. I have a great partner to work with and things are good. The paycheck could be better, but I think we all say that. ;) I definitely think that the education you'll gain as a paramedic will be put to good use in the world of nursing. You will gain great assessment skills and your knowledge of airway management will definitely be an asset where ever you go, just to pick two skills out of the air. My partner is doing a paramedic to RN bridge program and he says that being a paramedic has made him a much better nursing student. I agree with you that no education is wasted. Go for it and have a blast along the way.

crap??

you mean..CC's like:

hangnails @ 3am

a dislocated shoulder x4 years

"shoe pain"

"sore throat from eating to much chicken at a party"

is crap? :(

i thought every patient was special:lol2::trout:

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Specializes in Occ Health; Med/Surg; ICU.
Hi,

I'd like to get some experience in the ICU rather than ER. The ER in my hospital seems more like a clinic from my perspective. Yes, we do get some "good stuff" here and there, but it seems to be mostly what I would call crap.

That's a good point Pacookie, I'll agree, if one is to choose ED choose a Level One Trauma Center ED. Where I worked ICU my hospital had the only Level I center in the state so I never saw the crap. But thinking of the few times I've accompanied someone to the ED, ofter they are urgent (or thought urgent) care clinics.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
That's a good point Pacookie I'll agree, if one is to choose ED choose a Level One Trauma Center ED. Where I worked ICU my hospital had the only Level I center in the state so I never saw the crap. But thinking of the few times I've accompanied someone to the ED, ofter they are urgent (or thought urgent) care clinics.[/quote']

level 1's for the win!

GSW's

Stabbings

TA's

...ah... good times :)

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